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Saturday, October 29, 2016

Priest Lake, Bonner County, Idaho

PRIEST LAKE (23,360 acres)VIEW LIVE WEB CAM FROM LEONARD PAUL STORE IN COOLIN IDAHO (SOUTH END OF LAKE)This is Idaho’s 3rd largest natural lake at 23,360 acres, with 25 miles of length, 80 miles of shoreline and a depth of 400 feet.Upper Priest Lake is connected to Priest Lake by a scenic 2.5 mile long shallow thorofare. When traveling via the thorofare to Upper Priest Lake, take it slow as there are hazards in the thorofare such as rocks and logs and the lake can be quite shallow (2-10') in some locations. This has to be one of Idaho’s most gorgeous lakes due to its remote location and beautiful high heavily forested mountains on all sides. The significant abundance of wildlife also add a great deal to Priest Lake's beauty, and make it an extremely peaceful and enjoyable place to be. There are two islands on this lake for both camping and great hiking. There are also camping facilities accessible via your car. Finding a camping site on this lake can be an issue during the busy summer season, but at other times of the year camp sites are fairly easy to get. Water skiing/Wakeboarding, and fishing are all very popular activities on this lake. This is also a great sailing lake with very consistent winds year around and lots of nice locations to anchor at.Even though this lake has a lot of rocky show, it also has many beautiful beaches. All boat launch facilities on this lake are in shallow areas so it would be very difficult to launch a fixed keelboat into this lake. Mid draft boats and keelboats with swing keels are best suited for this lake.

Pictures and info about boat launches, access points, etc. below... Fishing: For fishing info call 208-769-1414.There are 16 launch sites on this lake, from paved launch sites to beaches that are popular to launch kayaks and canoes from. On this lake fixed keel sailboats and large power boats with deep drafts can be difficult to launch from due to the shallow depth of the launch sites.See Upper Priest Lake information by CLICKING HERE...or go to Upper Priest Lake section at the bottom of this web page for more information about Upper Priest Lake.Priest Lake Boat Launches and Camping

Beaver Creek S.P. portage canoe & kayak thoroughfare Access: This is a trail that kayakers and canoeist use to access the thoroughfare that leads to Upper Priest Lake from the campground parking. The trail is about a mile long. Maps: View interactive google map above or visit google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 48.742441, -116.863591

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... Portage trail to Priest Lake Thoroughfare put-in/take-out is not accessible to wheeled mobility devices. Wide dirt/gravel path to lake shoreline; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restrooms within park but not at put-in/take-out. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… No docks/platforms. Launch from bank put-in/take-out. Again the trail to this site is not accessible to wheeled mobility devices but to launch off the beach and then paddle up the thoroughfare. Sand at beach is deep; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices. With offroad tires, etc. on your wheeled mobility device it is possible to cross the beach to the water, one may need assistance; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Accessible Tent and RV campsites, no hookups; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand; Terrain: Level to 4% grades to beach; H2O/Water: Water normally clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water available within park; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Lamb Creek, ID.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... Wide dirt/gravel path to lake shoreline. Portage trail to Priest Lake Thoroughfare is not accessible to wheeled mobility devices; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restrooms. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… No docks/platforms. No developed launch. Launch from beach; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices. With offroad tires, etc. on your wheeled mobility device it is possible to cross the beach to the water, one may need assistance; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Tent and RV campsites, no hookups; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand; Terrain: Level to 4% grades; H2O/Water: Water normally clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Lamb Creek, ID.

2. Beaver Creek Boat Launch - specified for small boat use only! boat launch only for small boats, beaches, restrooms, running water, RV and tent campsites, benches and picnic tables, hiking trails, portage trail for kayakers to access the fairway to Upper Priest Lake. Directions: On HWY 57, turn Left in Nordman onto Reeder Bay Rd./ forest service road 1339 to Beaver Creek S.P.. A sign will direct you to this park. Once at the park watch for the sign indicating the direction to launch. There is also a canoe/kayak portage launch site (go to Upper Priest Lake section to learn more). Maps: View interactive google map above or visit google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 48.731467, -116.858044

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel/dirt/sand parking at/nearby launch; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restrooms with Beaver Campground. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… No docks/platforms. Single lane sand/dirt launch at about 5% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Accessible tent and RV campsites, no hookups; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand/mud/marine vegetation; Terrain: Level to 4% grades over bumpy ground; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Lamb Creek, ID.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Limited dirt parking area at launch site; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… No accessible restrooms. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One docks and marina. No access for wheeled mobility devices. Single lane cement launch at about 5% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Limited access; Terrain: Level to 4% grades over -; H2O/Water: Water clear/murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Lamb Creek, ID.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Non accessible restrooms. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One long docks with fingers. Single lane cement launch at about 5% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Tent and RV campsites, full/no hookups; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Limited access; Terrain: Level to 4% grades over grass and gravel roadway; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Lamb Creek, ID.

5. Ledgewood Picnic Day Use Area and Sportsman Access - Beach, restroom, hiking/access trail, picnic tables. Directions: On HWY 57, turn Left in Nordman onto Reeder Bay Rd./ forest service road 1339 and watch for the sign for this site. This site is between Elkins and Grandview Resorts. Maps: View interactive google map above or visit google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 48.630494, -116.883674

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails. Primitive trail to shoreline; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restrooms. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… No docks/platforms. No developed launch. Launch from beach; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand; Terrain: Level to 4% grades over bumpy sand/dirt ground; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Lamb Creek, ID.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails. Narrow dirt rough trail to shoreline; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… None. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… No docks/platforms. Launch from beach; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: No accessible features; Terrain: Level to 6% grades over dirt rough ground; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Lamb Creek, ID.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails. Sidewalk along launch ramp but is not wheelchair accessible; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… No accessible restrooms. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… Docks are not wheelchair accessible. Single lane cement launch at about -7% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Limited access; Terrain: Level to 7% grade at launch; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Lamb Creek, ID.

9. Kalispell Boat Launch - This is considered by many locals as the nicest and best boat launch facility on the lake due to its 3 parking lots, paved launch, dock, beach, restrooms, access path, etc. Directions: On HWY 57 after passing through the city of Priest Lake... Turn left/east onto Kalispell Bay Rd. / forest service road 237. Turn right/south onto Lake Shore Rd./Forest Service Rd. 1337. Watch for the sign for this launch facility. Maps: View interactive google map above or visit google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 48.560216, -116.925708

10. Hills Marina & Boat Launch - This resort has the biggest beaches of any of the resorts on this lake. Facilities include paved launch, docks, marina with seasonal moorage available, beach, restrooms, restaurant. Directions: On HWY 57 after passing through the city of Priest Lake...Turn left/east onto Kalispell Bay Rd. / forest service road 237. Turn right/south onto Lake Shore Rd./Forest Service Rd. 1337. Continue on this road for several miles and watch for the sign for this resort. Maps: View interactive google map above or visit google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 48.538417, -116.921947

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Paved and gravel parking areas; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restrooms in resort building. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… Two large docks with slips. The dock next to the launch is accessible to wheeled mobility devices and the other dock is not. Single lane cement launch at about 5% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand; Terrain: Level to 4% grades over pavement and sand; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Lamb Creek, ID.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel and mostly paved parking throughout park; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails but has paved and nice gravel roads throughout the park. Water front is not accessible to wheeled mobility device due to steps, etc.; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restrooms. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… No docks/platforms. Launch from steep bank/beach; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Accessible Tent and RV campsites, with hookups; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand/mud/marine vegetation at shoreline; Terrain: Level to 5% grades over dirt, gravel fairly smooth ground; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Lamb Creek, ID.

12. Bishop's Bay Marina & Boat Launch - Paved launch, docks, marina with seasonal moorage available, beach, restroom, restaurant. This is Priest Lake's most southern boat launch facility on the lake. The depth at the ramp is shallow but do-able to launch a mid draft boat from. This can be a busy boat launch so be prepared to load and launch quickly. A note of caution for those launching sailboats: it would be better to launch a short distance up the road (north) at the public launch where there are no power lines near by. There is a gas station, restaurant, and food and water near this launch and marina. Directions: On HWY 57 traveling from the city of Priest River Idaho on HWY 2... Turn right/east onto Coolin Rd, into Coolin Idaho (go down the hill to where you see the water). Across from Leonard Paul store is the launch & marina. Maps: View interactive google map above or visit google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 48.480526, -116.849748

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Paved parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails. However wide paved area to launch giving access to dock; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… No accessible restrooms. Sorry to say the town of Coolin is void of fully accessible restrooms. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One accessible dock. Single lane cement launch at about 5% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Limited water access; Terrain: Level to 5% grades over paved and gravel surfaces; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Coolin, ID.

13. Coolin Public Boat Launch - Short Paved Launch, Dock, gravel parking lot. Directions: On HWY 57 traveling from the city of Priest River Idaho on HWY 2... Turn right/east onto Coolin Rd. Drive into Coolin Idaho down the hill to where you see the water. Drive past the Bishop's Bay Marina & Leonard Paul store and continue up the road until you see to your left/west the sign and launch facility. This is a dead end road so you can not continue driving on this road up the lake. Maps: View interactive google map above or visit google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 48.482072, -116.848027

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… No. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One docks with limited wheelchair access (old dock). Single lane cement launch at about 6% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Limited shore access; Terrain: Mostly level over gravel surface; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Coolin, ID.

14. Blue Diamond Marina & Boat Launch - Paved Launch, Dock, marina with seasonal moorage available, restroom, restaurant. Can only use this launch with permission from the marina. Directions: On HWY 57 traveling from the city of Priest River Idaho on HWY 2... Turn right/east onto Coolin Rd. In Coolin Idaho turn right/east onto E. Shore Rd. A few miles up the road follow the signs to this marina. Maps: View interactive google map above or visit google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 48.529477, -116.834481

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel small parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Restrooms not accessible to wheelchairs. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One dock not wheelchair accessible. Single lane cement launch at about 7% grade; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Limited shoreline access; Terrain: Level to 7% grades over gravel surface; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water available at launch; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Coolin, ID.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel parking area; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Restrooms not accessible to wheelchairs. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One non accessible launch docks. Marina not fully accessible. Single lane cement launch at about 4% grade with lots of sand around it; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand; Terrain: Level to 4% grades over gravel and sand surfaces; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Coolin, ID.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Large paved parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails. Wide paved roads throughout the park; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restrooms. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… Two docks (sometimes) that are partially accessible. Double lane cement launch at about 5%; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Accessible Tent and RV campsites, with hookups; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand; Terrain: Level to 5% grades paved and sand surfaces; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Coolin, ID.

17. Lion Head State Park Boat Launch - Boat launch, beaches, restrooms, running water, RV and tent campsites, benches and picnic tables, hiking trails. CAUTION sand builds up around and on this launch making it difficult to put a boat trailer in and out of the water. Directions: On HWY 57 traveling from the city of Priest River Idaho on HWY 2... Turn right/east onto Coolin Rd. In Coolin Idaho turn right/east onto E. Shore Rd. Watch for the signs to park. Maps: View interactive google map above or visit google.com/maps type in GPS coordinates 48.742209, -116.833476

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, dirt, sand parking area; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails. Wide paved roads throughout parking area; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restrooms with in camping area not at launch site. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… No docks/platforms. Single lane cement launch at about 5% grade. Lots of sand around and on this launch... potential to get stuck; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Accessible Tent and RV campsites, with hookups; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Sand; Terrain: Level to 5% grades over sand/dirt/gravel; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No Drinking water available. Drinking water available in campground; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Coolin, ID.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel/sand parking lot; PATHS/TRAILS... No developed paths/trails. Wide large sandy beach; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… Fully accessible restroom. Shade via trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… Might be two docks... might because sometimes the docks are lying on the beach, not extended out in the water. Launch from very sandy beach; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No developed access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Tent and RV campsites, no hookups; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Lots sand; Terrain: Level to 4% grades over sand; H2O/Water: Water clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No Drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Coolin, ID.

Picture of old remains of steam power tug boat near Lion Head boat launch.